One rattling radiator

Most of our radiators have valves. Three of them don't. The biggest one (valveless)is in our living room; it has begun to make a terrible noise when heating is on and we can't hear the telly. Does it need a valve or a good clean out? We have a Halstead combi boiler.

If you grasp it firmly in you hands, does it stop rattling? It might be that the metal brackets at the back are not tight (they are supposed to be fitted with plastic grooves to make them quiet).

You do mean a rattle; not a gurgle of air bubbles or a hum transmitted from the pump?

Thanks JohnD for quick reply.

We have tried your suggestion but that does'nt seem to be the problem. The rattling starts when the rad becomes really hot. Could it be because its been off for months?

Try the valves at each end. If you open them fully (esp. if one of them is thermostatic) does that help? I'm just guessing now With luck someone will be along in a minute with more ideas.

Is this the nearest rad to the pump, that makes the noise? Is there any noise round the boiler or pump? There is some chance the noise is being generated by the pump (which is one of the few moving parts) vibrating.

edited - you say it has no valves. this probably means it has lockshield valves where there is a plastic cap to hide the spindle. You may need a screwdriver to get it off, then turn the spindle with a small adjustable spanner.

This is a typical lockshield valve. It is really just a radiator tap with no knob to turn.


here is the same tap, but with a knob

If you have any of these, you can take the knob off and use it to turn the spindle on your lockshield valves (except that if they have not moved for a long time they may be seized and break the knob, hence my suggestion of a small spanner)

Thanks again JohnD for prompt and detailed reply.

It seems radiator was rattling as it had'nt been used for months, completely quiet now its out of hibernation and stretched its legs.